Then he bade me do the same, and when I
had laid my outer garment aside, looked me all over in the lamplight.
"A proper young man," he muttered to himself, "and I'd give all I have
to be his age and like him. I suppose those limbs and sinews of his came
from his father, for I was ever thin and spare, as was my father before
me. Nephew Hubert, I have heard all the tale of your dealings with the
Frenchmen, on whom be God's curse, at Hastings yonder; and I say that I
am proud of you, though whether I shall stay so is another matter. Come
hither."
I obeyed, and taking me by my curling hair with his delicate hand, he
drew down my head and kissed me on the brow, muttering, "Neither chick
nor child for me and only this one left of the ancient blood. May he do
it honour."
Then he motioned to me to be seated and rang a little silver bell that
stood upon the table. As in the case of the man without, it was answered
instantly from which I judged that Master Grimmer was well served.
Before the echoes of the bell died away a door opened, the tapestry
swung aside, and there appeared two most comely serving maids, tall and
well-shaped both of them, bearing food.
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